Roller for surfacing purposes



July 2, 1963 A. T. WILLIAMS ETAL 3,095,634

ROLLER FOR SURFACING PURPOSES Filed Oct. 9. 1961 INVENTORS Willis D.Smifh Hrfhur T Williams United States Patent 3,095,634 ROLLER FORSURFACING PURPOSES Arthur T. Williams and Willis D. Smith, Camas, Wash;said Smith assignor to Charles R. Tidland Filed Oct. 9, 1961, Ser. No.143,945 2 Claims. (Cl. 29-113) This invention relates to rollers, andmore particularly to rollers useful for surfacing purposes. By surfacingit is intended to refer to operations in general where the surface of asheet or like material is processed by passing the sheet over theroller. Included within the term, therefore, are printing operationsWhere the surfacing produced is through the addition of a pattern of inkor other medium to a surface. As another example, the rollercontemplated may be employed in the embossing operation, where a patternin relief is formed on the surface of a sheet.

A general object of the invention is to provide an improved constructionfor a surfacing roller, featuring novel means for changing the outersurface thereof, whereby variations in the surfacing effects produced bythe roller may readily be made.

Another general object is to provide such a surfacing roller, that isrelatively simply constructed, and because of this economical tomanufacture and use.

The roller, because of the ease with which the type of surfacing effectsproduced thereby may be changed, lends itself for use in surfacingoperations where material being surfaced is processed by sending it intwodifferent passes over the roller, with a different surfacing efiectimparted to the material in each pass. The result is a final surfacingeffect that is a combination of the surfacing eifects produced by eachpass. In a small operation, where machinery is limited, one roller thuscan do what otherwise would require two.

More specifically, this invention features a roller for surfacingpurposes, that comprises a substantially cylindrical section, with suchcylindrical section including means for expanding the diameter thereof,and surrounding the cylindrical section and held tightly thereon withthe section expanded, a thin-walled, perforate sheath, such as a meshsheath, which is made rigid by the cylindrical section expanded insideit. The sheath is constructed so that solid portions thereof boundingthe perforations therein, that is the wire strands where the sheathcomprises a mesh material, have a configuration corresponding to thesurfacing effect desired. As a result, and in an embossing operation,for example, the shape of the solid portions is produced in intaglio onthe surface treated, and raised areas appear where the perforations ofthe sheath passed over the surface. In a printing operation, of course,.the solid portions of the sheath are shaped similarly to the pattern ofthe ink design that it is desired to make on a surface.

The roller has particular utility as an embossing roller, and a featureand object of the invention is the provisi'on of a flexible coveringforming the outside of the cylindrical section. The flexible coveringcontemplated is smooth and preferably nonperforate, and is madepreferably of an elastomeric material. Thus, with the sheathcontemplated surrounding the outside of the section, it is portions ofthe smooth-surfaced covering that are exposed beneath the perfonationsof the sheath. These exposed portions contact the surface being treatedand smooth it, in those areas of the embossed design that appear asraised.

A still further object of the invention is the provision of a novelroller for surfacing purposes having a cylindrical section as described,where the cylindrical section is constructed so that expansion thereofis produced by ICC fluid-operated means, more specifically air pressuremeans. Also a feature and object of the invention is a novelconstruction where means is provided for limiting expansion of thecylindrical section to a predetermined amount, thus to preventoverstressiug of the flexible covering in the cylindrical section andsheath. The invention further contemplates, in such a surfacing roller,a backing for the flexible covering that is operable to impart to theoutside of the covering a substantially cylindrical shape, on expansionof the section within it.

Other features and objects of the invention will become apparent,'as-the following description is read in conjunction with theaccompanying drawings, wherein:

FIG. 1 illustrates a roller constructed according to an embodiment ofthe invention, with parts of the roller broken away and the roller shownin cross section, to illustrate details of interior construction;

FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view, taken generally along the line 2-2 inFIG. 1; and

FIG. 3 illustrates a modified form of sheath that may be included aroundthe outside of the surfacing roller.

Referring now to the drawings, and first of all with particularreference to FIGS. 1 and 2, a surfacing roller is indicated generally at10. The surfacing roller comprises a rigid, substantially cylindricalcore 12, plural, rigid and elongated leaves 14 spaced circumferentiallyabout the core portion and extending approximately the length thereof,and mounted about the outside of the leaves a continuous, flexiblecovering 16. Core 12, leaves 14, and covering 16 together make up whatis referred to herein as a cylindrical section, the diameter of which isexpandable, as will be described. Detachably mounted about the outsideof covering 16 is what is referred to herein as a thin-walled andperforate sheath or sheathing means, such being generally indicated at18.

Core 12 comprises a rigid, cylindrical tube portion 20, which in theusual instance may be metal. Secured to the ends of tube portion 20, asby screws 22, are members 24, 26, each including a journal portion 28.The journal portions provide a means for rotatably mounting the rollerduring its use.

Within the interior of tube portion 20 is an elongated pneumatic tube orhose 30. The hose ordinarily may be made of rubber, a synthetic, orother like material. The ends of hose 36 are adjacent the ends of tubeportion 20, and each is closed as by a cap 32 and a plug 34. The plug isdrawn within the cap, whereby the end of the hose is clamped tightly, asby a nut 36 screwed onto a threaded stem portion 38 integral with theplug. A sleeve 40 extends about cap 32 at each end of the hose, andfunctions to center the end of the hose within tube portion 20.

Means is provided for inflating and deflating pneumatic hose 30. Thus,in the embodiment illustrated, a passage 42 is provided in one of theplugs 34, with the passage extending axially out through stem portion38. A hollow pipe 44 with an interior connecting with passage 42 issecured to stem portion 38. The end of pipe 44 may be provided with asuitable valve 46, to enable opening and closing of the end of the pipe.

Positioned in the space bounded on the inside by the outside of hose 30and on the outside by the inside of tube portion 20 are series of innerleaves 50. These are positioned side by side, and are distributedcircumferentially about the perimeter of hose 30. Each extendssubstantially the length of the hose, and has an arcuate profile viewedin cross section, as shown in FIG. 2. Upon inflation of pneumatic hose30, the hose expands radially outwardly, and operates to thrust theseinner leaves in a radial direction outwardly against the inside of tubeportion 20.

Leaves 14 already described are circumferentially distributed about theoutside of tube portion 20. One is provided for each of the innerleaves, and is aligned therewith, but positioned radially outwardlytherefrom. The outer leaves extend substantially the length of thepneumatic hose, and have an arcuate profile viewed in cross section.

Corresponding pairs of inner and outer leaves are interconnected byconnectors 54. Plural connectors are provided along the length of eachcorresponding pair of leaves. In the embodiment illustrated, eachconnector comprises a rivet member 56, and a spacer 58. The spacersencircle the rivet members, and space a pair of connected leaves a givendistance apart, such distance being somewhat greater than the width ofthe wall of tube portion 20. The rivets function to prevent separationof the leaves in a connected pair of leaves. The various connectorsextend through accommodating bores 60 provided in the wall of tubeportion 20. The inner and outer leaves and hose described constitutemeans in the construction for expanding the diameter of the cylindricalsection. Inner leaves 50 constitute means limiting outward extension ofthe leaves around the out-. side of the cylindrical section.

As already mentioned, forming the outside of the cylindrical section isa continuous, flexible covering 16". It is contemplated that ordinarilythis covering be of a stretchable, elastomeric material such as rubberor similar synthetic material. The covering is preferably nonperforate,and its outer surface is smooth. With hose 30 inflated, the inner leavesare thrust radially outwardly to bear against the inside of tube portion20, and the outer leaves connected to the inner leaves are movedradially outwardly against the inside of the flexible covering with thecovering stretching to accommodate the extension. Due to the expanse ofthe outer leaves, the covering is well supported throughout the innercircumferences thereof. Further, the support rendered the covering bythe outer leaves is one that is substantially cylindrical in profile,which results in the profile of the covering being cylindrical with thecylindrical section extended.

By making the covering of an elastic and resilient material, thecovering causes the various leaves automatically to withdraw ondeflation of pneumatic hose 30.

Sheathing means 18, in the embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2,comprises a sleeve of mesh material having transverse and longitudinalthreads or strands 66 therein. The strands may be of wire, or othermaterial, depending upon the application of the roller. The sheathingmeans off the cylindrical section is comparatively flexible. It has adiameter enabling it easily to he slipped on, over the outside ofsmooth-surfaced covering 16, with the latter in a contracted condition,and upon expansion of hose 30, covering 16 expands tightly against theinside of the sheathing means, with it then becoming cylindricallyshaped and made rigid.

If the roller described is used an embossing operation, for instance,and a continuous roll of paper is run thereover with pressure appliedbetween the roller and paper, the pattern of the mesh is imparted to thepaper, with the strands of the mesh forming a like pattern on thesurface of the paper. If the roller were used in a printing operation,the strands of the mesh may have ink applied thereto, and the roller canbe employed to print a like pattern on a piece of paper.

Referring to FIG. 3, here portions of a modified form of sheathing meansis illustrated. In this instance, the sheathing means comprises a wiremesh, but strands 68 therein are differently positioned, and as aconsequence a different pattern is produced on use of the sheathingmeans. As should be obvious from the description, any number of types ofdesigns are possible,

and regardless of the design, removal of a specific sheath or sheathingmeans and replacement by another is an easy matter.

Summarizing some of the features of the construction just described, thesurfacing roller contemplated may be changed readily to accommodatevariations in the type of pattern produced thereby. The change is easilyaccomplished, on deflating hose 30 Within the roller, which has theeffect of loosening the sheath about the outside of the roller. Thesheathes themselves are economically produced, and when not in use arelight, and easily stored. The covering extending about the out side ofthe cylindrical section is substantially cylindrical, both with theroller section contracted and extended, leaves 14 within the cylindricalsection provide a rigid backing for the covering. With the cover made offlexible, elastic material, the covering can be relied upon to producecontraction of the cylindrical section on deflation of the hose.Movement of the leaves in the cylindrical section is limited, thus toprevent excessive stressing of the covering about the outside of theroller, and the sheath that in operative position is mounted on theoutside of the covering.

We claim:

1. A roller for surfacing purposes comprising a substantiallycylindrical hollow core, elongated rigid segments extending axiallyalong and spaced circumferentially about said core and formingsubstantially a cylinder with said cylinder concentrically disposedabout said core, anchoring means disposed along the length of eachsegment secured to the segment and extending into said core, saidanchoring means accommodating radial play in each segment, a flexiblecovering encircling the segments, thin-walled flexible sheathing meansdetachably mounted about said covering, said sheathing means along itslength being uniformly stressed upon radially outward movement of saidsegments, and pressure-fluid inflated means mounted within said core andoperatively bearing upon said anchoring means to produce radiallyoutward movement of said segments upon inflation with pressure fluid.

2. A roller for surfacing purposes comprising a substantiallycylindrical hollow core, elongated rigid segments extending axiallyalong and spaced circumferentially about said core and formingsubstantially a cylinder with said cylinder concentrically disposedabout said core, anchoring means disposed along the length of eachsegment secured to the segment and extending into said core, saidanchoring means defining for the segment an extended position for thesegment relative to said core, an elastic covering encircling thesegments and urging them radially inwardly, thin-walled flexiblesheathing means detachably mounted upon said covering, said sheathingmeans along its length being uniformly stressed upon radially outwardmovement of said segments, said sheathing means having solid portionsextending about perforations therein with said solid portions shaped toconform to the surfacing produced by the roller, said covering having acontinuous and smooth outer surface providing a backing for saidsheathing means, and pressure-fluid inflated means mounted within saidcore and operatively bearing upon said anchoring means to produceradially outward movement of said segments upon inflation with pressurefluid.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS1,058,749 Holder Apr. 15, 1917 1,428,760 Cuish Sept. 12, 1922 2,430,598Barsam Nov. 11, 1947 FOREIGN PATENTS 223,970 Great Britain Oct. 27, 1924

1. A ROLLER FOR SURFACING PURPOSES COMPRISING A SUBSTANTIALLYCYLINDRICAL HOLLOW CORE, ELONGATED RIGID SEGMENTS EXTENDING AXIALLYALONG AND SPACED CIRCUMFERENTIALLY ABOUT SAID CORE AND FORMINGSUBSTANTIALLY A CYLINDER WITH SAID CYLINDER CONCENTRICALLY DISPOSEDABOUT SAID CORE, ANCHORING MEANS DISPOSED ALONG THE LENGTH OF EACHSEGMENT SECURED TO THE SEGMENT AND EXTENDING INTO SAID CORE, SAIDANCHORING MEANS ACCOMMODATING RADIAL PLAY IN EACH SEGMENT, A FLEXIBLECOVERING ENCIRCLING THE SEGMENTS, THIN-WALLED FLEXIBLE SHEATHING MEANSDETACHABLY MOUNTED ABOUT SAID COVERING, SAID SHEATHING MEANS ALONG ITSLENGTH BEING UNIFORMLY STRESSED UPON RADIALLY OUTWARD MOVEMENT OF SAIDSEGMENTS, AND PRESSURE-FLUID INFLATED MEANS MOUNTED WITHIN SAID CORE ANDOPERATIVELY BEARING UPON SAID ANCHORING MEANS TO PRODUCE RADIALLYOUTWARD MOVEMENT OF SAID SEGMENTS UPON INFLATION WITH PRESSURE FLUID.